Ahead of the 2019 lok Sabha elections, the Samajwadi Party asked its leaders particularly those from minority community to `stay silent on provocative statements by BJP leaders and not to condemn Prime Minister Narendra Modi’.
Samajwadi Party sources said that Muslim leaders have been advised to refrain from responding to provocative remarks made by BJP and Sangh parivar. The party has come up with a new strategy to counter the BJP’s Hindutuva plank aimed at causing communal polarization ahead of elections.
To blunt the edge of BJP’s permanent accusation of `Muslim appeasement’, SP sources said that the opposition has also decided to scale down `Iftar party’ organised at the state SP office during Ramzan.
The SP brass has also told its leaders not to use photograph of party chief Akhilesh Yadav during Ramzan. District leaders have been asked to use normal picture of the party chief instead of one with a skull cap on and wearing a particular scarf for hoardings put up for congratulatory messages on Eid.
In pursuance of the new strategy, the SP chief has held several meetings with party leaders and gave tthem the `mantra’ to fight politics of communal polarisation pursued by the BJP in the run up to the crucial lok Sabha poll.
A senior SP leader said, “At a time when the BJP is on the back foot due to nationwide outrage over Unnao and Kathua gang rape incidents, the remarks from Muslim leaders against Prime Minister Narendra Modi could further lead to communal polarisation.’’
To counter BJP’s Hindutva plank, Muslim leaders have been advised to work among the community at the grass-root level and educate them about maintaining calm over provocative statements and actions like those from `Gaurakshaks’.
Sources said that Akhilesh also had a closed-door meeting with party members from other communities including Dalit, Yadav and Muslims and asked them to make united effort to prevent communal polarisation and avoid conflict on flimsy issues.